May 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should at least review the newsletter when it is sent out each month so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

 

Here is a list of scheduled club hikes for the month of May 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  Most Tuesday and Thursday hikes are intended for the more advanced hikers in the club.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier Saturday hike will generally be rated somewhere between moderate and strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike that day is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week will tend to be moderate, although more difficult hikes may be scheduled from time to time.  Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience are encouraged to join the later Saturday hikes or equivalent before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of the hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo Groups informing of any cancellations.  If you have any questions or comments about any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at (702) 823-2355 or e-mail him at dempseylv@aol.com.

 

May is the transition month when we change venues from Red Rock Canyon to the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains.  Hikes in the early part of the month will generally be in or near Red Rock Canyon.  The staging point for those hikes will be in front of the Best Buy store on Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino.  During the later part of the month club hikes will take place in the higher elevations of the Spring Mountains near Mount Charleston.  For these hikes, the group will assemble on the third floor of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station (the parking garage closest to the intersection of Rancho and Lone Mountain Road) against the south wall facing Lone Mountain Road.  DO NOT confuse this with the north garage which is positioned along the edge of Highway 95.  Details for any other assembly area will be included in the appropriate hike description.

 

 

Tuesday, May 1 - White Rock Hills Peak.  The impressive sandstone peak on the east side of Willow Springs will be the target for a strenuous out-and-back hike that will kick off the month of May.  Distance is about 5 miles and elevation gain is 1,600 feet.  The starting point will be the White Rock Springs parking lot at the end of the gravel road at Mile Marker 6 of the scenic drive.  The route will follow the White Rock Hills Trail for a short distance before heading cross country toward Surprise Canyon and an ascent to the main ridge of the two peak range.  There will be a lot of Class 3 climbing along the route but the exposure is not supposed to be excessive.  Interested parties need to RSVP with and be cleared by the coordinator at 220-3224.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM start.  Coordinator - Richard Natale.

 

Wednesday, May 2 - Waterfall Canyon.  It's always astonishing when you come across a canyon with flowing water in the desert, but Waterfall Canyon seems to meet that condition for much of the year.  This moderately strenuous out-and-back hike is not long at 4 miles, but there are several tricky areas getting to the turn around point where a snack break will occur.  One of the major hurdles is climbing along the edge of a 30-foot waterfall that is rated Class 3.  Elevation gain from the starting point at Willow Springs is perhaps 1,200 feet and most of the route is along Rocky Gap Road.  This is a joint hike with Lone Mountain Hiking Club from Sun City Summerlin.  That group will meet at Desert Vista Community Center and depart from there at 8:00 AM.  The ABF contingent will leave from Best Buy at 8:15 AM for the trail head.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Thursday, May 3 - Black Velvet Canyon.  It has been more than a year since our club has undertaken this strenuous 8-mile trek across Cottonwood Valley to the boulder-strewn canyon between Black Velvet and Monument Peaks.  The last time the club did this hike was the same day the remains of an Arizona climber were found in the upper part of the canyon beyond our turn around point.  There is minimal elevation gain across the desert between the parking area and the mouth of the canyon, which contains some sizeable boulders that can be serious impediments depending on any flowing water.  Other than the short scramble into the canyon, this hike will follow a loop route.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Friday, May 4 - The Muffins & Skull Canyon.  This will be the last scheduled hike until probably November that will take place on the north end of Blue Diamond Hill across from the Red Rock Visitor Center.  The route for this moderate 6-mile loop hike will start from the horse stables parking lot and follow the trail up to the distinctive composite boulders on the north end of the main ridge.  The trail becomes fainter as it turns south, heading along a fairly deep unnamed canyon toward the old Las Vegas Overlook.  At this point, the group will turn down scenic Skull Canyon for a return to the starting point.  Elevation gain along the way is around 1,000 feet.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, May 5 - Ash Canyon Overlook Loop.  Here is an alternate version of a route our club added to its repertoire in early April.  This 4-mile loop hike is probably going to be rated moderately strenuous because it has some scrambling in Gateway Canyon and about one-half mile of bushwhacking across the south slopes of Gateway Peak.  The overall elevation gain is around 1,000 feet.  The starting point is the gravel extension to the paved road on the northwest side of Calico Basin and the early part of the hike heads up Five Stop Hill to Gateway Saddle.  The overlook above Ash Canyon provides sensational views of the west side of the Calico Hills.  The group will assemble at Best Buy with a departure at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Don Caldwell.

 

Saturday, May 5 - Lone Mountain.  It might get a little warm by the time the group is done with this out-and-back Las Vegas level hike, so bring a little extra water.  Otherwise, it should only take a couple of hours for the 2.5-mile hike to the top of the peak along the standard trail.  Elevation gain is at 750 feet and some of the trail is loose gravel while other sections of it cross limestone rock slabs.  The close-in view of the northern part of the city is quite amazing.  For this hike, the group will assemble at the parking lot on the south side of Lone Mountain Regional Park.  Entrance to this lot is from Jensen Avenue between the east-west streets of Alexander and Craig.  The group will start the hike promptly at 8:30 AM, so be a bit earlier than that if you want to go along.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Monday, May 7 - White Rock Springs Peak.  Rescheduled from mid-April, this strenuous out-and-back hike is only 4 miles long, but it crosses some pretty difficult terrain as it climbs 1,100 feet to the lower peak in the White Rock Hills.  Much of the route is over sandstone boulders and slabs that require Class 3 maneuvering and there are areas of fairly significant exposure.  There are two tops on this peak and the most difficult terrain covers the distance between them, so it is not for the faint of heart.  The hike will start from the first gravel pullout at Mile Marker 6 of the scenic drive and will use the gravel road as a warm up.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Tuesday, May 8 - La Madre Notch.  It has been nearly eight years since our coordinator last accomplished this hike because it took him that long to forget exactly what a pain it was to do.  Unfortunately memory starts to fade and the thought of being able to do this hike one more time takes over for sensibility.  The very strenuous out-and-back hike will start from the White Rock Springs parking area and follow a cross country route through limestone washes and up ridges, past cliffs and steep boulder fields.  Total distance will be around 7 miles with over 1,800 feet of elevation gain.  Come prepared to loose a little blood as scrapes and cuts may be the rule of the day.  Participants should RSVP for this hike by e-mail at dempseylv@aol.com.  Meet the group at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Wednesday, May 9 - Potato Knoll.  The club's traditional route to the top of the 500-foot hill below Wilson Peak will be in play for a moderate 5.3-mile partial loop hike that will include the short scramble to the top.  Starting from the gravel parking area at the exit of the scenic loop onto Highway 159, the route follows a series of trails actually laid out by equestrians that go across the desert toward the main drainage for Oak Creek.  There is one crossing of the creek on the way out and three crossings on the way back, two of which may actually exhibit some flowing water.  The top of the hill provides a great view of the Red Rock area.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

 

Thursday, May 10 - Hollow Rock Peak.  The back side of the escarpment will provide the setting for a strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike to the southernmost peak of the sandstone Wilson Cliffs.  Starting near the Mountain Spring Summit on Highway 160, the route utilizes a gravel road to access a single track trail that leads to a ridge above the communities at Mountain Springs.  The highest point of the hike is attained on top of a limestone knob just over one mile into the hike.  The route then descends to a transition point between limestone and sandstone before dealing with a few steep cuts in the ridge just before getting to the peak.  Excellent views abound for those that make the destination.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for a 7:30 AM departure and there will be a second pickup point at the gas station on Highway 160 and the intersection with Highway 159 at 7:50 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Friday, May 11 - Ice Box Canyon.  Cooler temperatures might be found in this popular canyon penetrating the northern section of the Wilson Cliffs, as the walls on either side are quite high and steep and keep direct sunlight from getting to the bottom.  Although only rated as moderate, this 3-mile out-and-back hike has nearly one-half mile of scrambling in the drainage for each direction.  Fortunately, the boulders are not very big that participants will have to climb across to get to the base of a 40-foot seasonal waterfall that will probably be dry unless we have some late spring rains.  Join the group at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Guy Galante.

 

Saturday, May 12 - Fern Canyon.  Officially known as North Fork Pine Creek, this narrow canyon got its localized name because of the abundance of ferns that grow in the moist environment between its steep side walls.  Although only 4 miles in length, this out-and-back hike includes some pretty significant boulder scrambling after the trail drops into the drainage at the bottom of the canyon and consequently draws a rating of strenuous.  Several of the east facing walls are used by technical climbers and it's not unusual to see them scaling the walls on a nice weekend day.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

 

Saturday, May 12 - SMYC Wildflower Hike.  Join our coordinator for an easy to moderate trek along a sensational trail that will hopefully highlight wildflower and cactus blossoms along the way.  Starting from Willow Springs Picnic Area, the out-and-back hike should cover 3+ miles as it heads south along the escarpment toward the Ice Box Trail.  Pace will be leisurely and participants should bring their cameras in case they run into the great photo opportunities that only desert flowers can provide.  Overall elevation gain will be minimal but the terrain is somewhat rolling.  The group will be assembling at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

 

Monday, May 14 - Keystone Thrust Loop.  Here is a different version of the Red Rock hike that features passing the somewhat famous Keystone Thrust Fault.  The moderately strenuous 7-mile partial loop hike will begin at Sandstone Quarry and follow the Grand Circle Trail up to the White Rock Springs parking lot.  The group will then continue around the back side of Cactus Hill and scramble down the length of Keystone Thrust Canyon, going either over or under the scenic drive.  Continuing in the drainage for another half mile, the route turns left on Grand Circle and returns to the starting point.  Overall elevation gain is less than 1,000 feet.  The group will meet early at Best Buy with a 7:00 AM departure for the trail head.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

 

Tuesday, May 15 - Hidden Forest.  We are going to need some high clearance vehicles to drive Alamo Road between the Corn Creek Station of Desert National Wildlife Range and the starting point at Deadman's Canyon, with rough road for almost twenty miles.  Participants will definitely be rewarded for their effort, however, when they reach the pine forest in the heart of the Sheep Mountains and visit a rest cabin originally built by the CCC and recently restored.  The out-and-back hike is 11 miles in length with 2,000 feet of elevation gain, but it is quite gradual without any steep sections.  Because the drive takes nearly two hours in each direction, don't make other plans until the evening.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station for this hike and will depart from there at 7:30 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, May 16 - First Creek.  If Red Rock Canyon has any late spring blossoms left we are sure to see them on this short trek across the desert to the mouth of a canyon in the Wilson Cliffs.  Halfway to our rest area we will see if there is any flowage over the waterfall in the hidden grotto in the creek drainage.  Continuing over the top of the waterfall, we will follow the stream bed up to some colorful canyon boulders that comprise another seasonal waterfall (usually dry).  Total distance for the easy to moderate out-and-back hike is 4 miles with 200 feet of elevation gain.  The pace will be leisurely.  Meet the rest of the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey. 

 

Thursday, May 17 - Raintree via North Loop.  It's certainly possible that we may encounter snow in shaded sections on our first endeavor to the higher Spring Mountains this year.  We will be climbing to almost 10,000 feet along the trail that leads to a 3,000 year old bristlecone pine near the base of Mummy's Toe.  Our first 2012 experience in the higher elevations should provide an insight into how soon it will be possible to hike to the major peaks surrounding Mount Charleston.  The hike today will be out-and-back along North Loop Trail and cover a total distance of 6 miles, gaining over 1,500 feet in the process.  Rating is moderately strenuous.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, May 18 - Calico Hills Scramble.  A new route for our club, this moderately strenuous hike through the south end of the Calico Hills will cover a distance of 4 or 5 miles.  The intended route will start from Red Springs Picnic Area and will proceed to climb over the ridge behind the boardwalk and drop into the canyon on the Red Rock side leading to Calico I Overlook.  This section involves significant scrambling over difficult terrain.  Once at Calico I, the group will use the low trail to get to Calico II Overlook and return along the higher trail that used to be part of Grand Circle.  The return to Red Springs is along the high trail.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, May 19 - Harris Slot Canyon.  The first Saturday hike in the Spring Mountains will be a bit lower in elevation at closer to 6,000 feet when the group conducts an out-and-back hike through a narrow slot canyon and into a long drainage emanating from the eastern slopes of Harris Peak.  The full length moderate hike covers a total distance of 6 miles and probably gains about 700 feet getting to an old car graveyard where the vehicles had been pushed from the top of the north ridge toward the bottom of the canyon.  Some participants may opt for a shorter hike of 3 or 4 miles by turning around earlier.  Carpooling should be arranged accordingly.  Meet the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Guy Galante.

 

Sunday, May 20 - Cave Springs.  The route is pretty straightforward for this moderately strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike on the north side of Kyle Canyon.  Start at the trail head for Trail Canyon at the edge of the Echo community near Mount Charleston, take it all the way to its intersection with North Loop Trail, then turn left and go up to Cave Springs for a shaded snack spot near a horse trough fed by a hose anchored in the spring above.  To get back, simply turn around and follow the trail back to the start.  Elevation gain is probably 2,000 feet for the hike near the base of Mummy Mountain.  Assembly point will be at the Santa Fe Station with the group leaving there at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

 

Monday, May 21 - Fletcher Canyon.  Perhaps the most repeated hike in the Spring Mountains will be featured on a Monday as the transition to the higher elevations near Mount Charleston continues.  The 4-mile out-an-back trek gains 600 feet starting from the trail head at Kyle Canyon Road.  Although rated as moderate, it is one of the better novice hikes in the mountain range with its gradual elevation gain and its dramatic scenery in the slot canyon near the turn-around point.  With 80-foot walls closing in to a 6-foot width, it is a great spot for photographers.  Late snowdrifts can sometimes create a hindrance in getting to the snack spot below Obstacle Rock.  Join the group at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin. 

 

Tuesday, May 22 - Raintree via Trail Canyon.  It's not nearly as tough as a standard Tuesday hike, but it will give club members another chance to acclimate to the higher elevations before going for any of the major peaks in the area.  Even so, this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike will wind up at 7.3 miles in length while gaining 2,200 feet of elevation.  There is no scrambling involved, but the Trail Canyon section is fairly steep trail.  The section of the hike directly above Fletcher Canyon is one of the prettiest side ridge trails in the Spring Mountains, with views of peaks and canyons galore.  The group will assemble at Santa Fe Station for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Wednesday, May 23 - Deer Creek & Robbers' Roost.  A couple of short hikes are combined to stretch today's daily distance to 4 miles.  First is a moderate out-and-back hike covering 3 miles that will pass the picnic grounds along the creek and connect with a gravel road that services a number of private residences on the lower slopes of Mummy Mountain.  The rest stop will be at the top of a ridge with great views to the north.  After a return to the vehicles, the group will drive to Robbers' Roost and hike up to the shallow caves once used as a hideout by rustlers.  This segment is something less than one mile.  The group will get together at Santa Fe Station for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.  

 

Thursday, May 24 - Fletcher Peak.  The peak baggers didn't have to wait very long for a chance at one of the major summits in the Spring Mountains.  The strenuous out-and-back hike to 10,200-foot Fletcher Peak will follow the North Loop Trail from its eastern terminus at Deer Creek Road (Highway 158), cutting off on the trail that passes the top of Hummingbird Gulch on the way to the top.  Net elevation gain is 1,800 feet for this 7.4 mile trek.  The final section getting to the summit is fairly steep and could involve some minor scrambling (rock or snow).  The meeting point for the group is Santa Fe Station with a departure time of 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

 

Friday, May 25 - Upper Bristlecone Trail.  A prelude to the following Thursday scheduled hike, this outing will feature the section of the Lee Canyon trail that stretches between the upper trail head near the ski resort and the junction with the Bonanza Trail.  The out-and-back hike will be 5 miles long with an elevation gain of just 600 feet, making this one of the easier moderate hikes in the Spring Mountains.  While the lower section of trail follows a forest service road, this section is primarily single track trail that threads past the top of Lee Canyon and provides sensational views of the surrounding mountain peaks.  Join the group at Santa Fe Station with a departure time of 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

 

Saturday, May 26 - Telephone Canyon.  Here is a rare occasion to do a hike that goes downhill the entire way.  There will be a need for extra vehicles on the car shuttle, but the group will start this hike at the Robbers' Roost parking area just off Highway 158 and end up in the high desert near the police substation and Highway 157.  In between, the route will utilize a bit of old gravel road and lots of mountain biking trails as it descends into a canyon that has a storied name.  It is always possible to see horseback riders in the lower section of the canyon.  At 4 miles, this point-to-point hike loses about 1,000 feet of elevation and is rated easy to moderate.  The group will get together at Santa Fe Station for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

Monday, May 28 - Sawmill Trails.  It's Memorial Day but there is no reason we can't do our remembering on a hiking trail in the Spring Mountains.  The Sawmill Picnic Area is located along Lee Canyon Road as it approaches the transition area between scrub desert and pine forest and is used as an equestrian staging site as well.  The hike we have planned will wander through a grove of cliff roses, climb a ridge that provides a great view stretching north toward the Nevada Testing Site, and descend along the top section of Blue Tree Road.  It's a loop hike that will cover a distance of roughly 3 miles and carry a moderate rating.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station and depart there at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

 

Tuesday, May 29 - Bonanza Peak.  It may be aggressive to attempt this hike so early in the season, but the veritable lack of snowfall this year means we have a chance of clear trail all the way to the top at 10,400 feet of elevation.  The straightforward hike follows the north end of the Bonanza Trail with a bit of bushwhacking just below the summit.  The total distance is about 10 miles with gain of 2,600 feet and a strenuous rating.  The worst part may be the drive, which is long and includes a couple of miles on a high clearance gravel road just before the trail head.  Watch for wild horses near the community of Cold Creek.  The long day requires us to meet at Santa Fe Station for a 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

 

Thursday, May 31 - Bristlecone Loop.  One of the most popular hiking trails in the Spring Mountains is this moderate 6-mile loop route at the top of Lee Canyon.  A slight complication for hikers, this is the only official trail in the higher elevations that permits mountain biking.  Hopefully we won't get run over by any as we close the loop from the lower trail head and perform the hike in a counter clockwise direction.  This means we will be hiking the single track trail near the ski resort just before having to take the paved road back down to the vehicles.  In all, there is between 700 and 800 feet of gradual elevation gain, so thinner air won't be a huge problem.  The group will meet at Santa Fe Station and leave there at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

 

 

During the summer months the attendance on our hikes drops somewhat as people return to their northern residences and others avoid the higher elevations because of thinner air.  We also have a reduced number of trails to design hikes around, especially this year when the Forest Service has undertaken to make improvements to many trails and parking areas in Kyle Canyon.  Rather than keep repeating hikes on a two or three week rotation, we will probably cut back to scheduling hikes no more than five days each week.  We will also be only offering one hike on Saturdays instead of the two we have scheduled in Red Rock and Lake Mead.  If necessary, we may split the group before leaving Santa Fe Station and provide a five or ten minute interval between them on the trails.  Regardless, if there is a particular hike you would like to coordinate this summer and would like to get it scheduled, please contact Chris Dempsey at dempseylv@aol.com and provide him with the information.  We are always looking for new hiking opportunities at all levels so we can keep the full spectrum of our membership involved in hiking.     

                                     

April Hike List 2012

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should at least review the newsletter when it is sent out each month so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

Here is the list of scheduled club hikes for the month of April 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the different skill levels of club members.  Most Tuesday and Thursday hikes are intended for the more advanced hikers in the club.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier Saturday hike will generally be rated somewhere between moderate and strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike that day is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week will tend to be moderate, although more difficult hikes may be scheduled from time to time.  Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience are encouraged to join the later Saturday hikes or equivalent before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of the hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo Groups informing of any cancellations.  If you have any questions or need directions for any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at (702) 823-2355 or e-mail him at dempseylv@aol.com.

Almost all the hikes scheduled this month will be in the Red Rock area, with the staging point to be used in front of the Best Buy store on Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino.  Be at the selected designated location at least five to ten minutes prior to the departure time listed to allow for carpooling arrangements and driving directions.

Monday, April 2 - White Rock Hills Loop.  Leading off the month is one of the old standard hikes in the Red Rock area.  By far the most used starting point for this moderate loop hike is Willow Springs Picnic Area, located at the end of the paved spur road just past Mile Marker 7 on the scenic loop, which will be the case today.  Join the group and see how just a short relative distance can result in a total change of vegetation due to differing precipitation levels on different sides of the mountains.  Total distance is 6.4 miles and there is 900 feet of elevation gain getting to the usual snack spot near the northeast corner of the two peaks.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Tuesday, April 3 - Two North Peaks.  We started offering this double peak hike to our members last year about this time and it has become very popular.  Total distance for the partial loop hike is 11 miles.  The elevation gain getting to the limestone North Peak is about 2,800 feet and the transition to the sandstone North Peak gains several hundred more.  Overall, the hike is rated as strenuous.  Over half the distance covered will be along Rocky Gap Road coming out of Willow Springs Picnic Area.  Views from the top of each peak stretch across Las Vegas to the Lake Mead area and take in three states.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 7:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Wednesday, April 4 - Ash Canyon Overlook Extended.  Today's offering will be a joint hike with the Lone Mountain Hiking Club out of Sun City Summerlin.  It will be a new version of an old destination, with the group starting from the gravel extension of the paved road at the northwest corner of Calico Basin.  This will be an out-and-back route that follows the trail up Five Stop Hill to Gateway Saddle, descends into Gateway Canyon, and heads west toward the base of Red Cap.  Turning left above Ash Canyon, the route will pass the normal break spot for the overlook and continue on to a rock slab above the community of Calico Basin.  Distance is about 4 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain and a moderate rating.  Lone Mountain members can meet at Desert Vista Community Center for an 8:00 AM departure to Best Buy, with the combined group leaving from there at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, April 5 - Mountain Spring Peak.  This outing will utilize the loop version of the hike to the destination limestone peak behind the southern section of the escarpment.  Starting from the gravel pullout near Mountain Spring Summit, the trail climbs about 1,500 feet to the peak and descends on the other side heading north along the escarpment.  The snack break will occur at one of the most dramatic spots in the Las Vegas area, directly above Black Velvet Canyon on a limestone ledge.  The return section of the hike passes a shallow cave and a couple of springs before returning to the starting point.  Distance for the hike is 7 miles and the rating is strenuous.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, April 6 - Echo Canyon, First Finger & Fossil Ridge.  The cowboy stables parking lot on Highway 159 just down the road from the entrance to Red Rock Canyon will be the starting point for this moderate 6.5 -mile loop hike that climbs through Echo Canyon, gaining about 750 feet in the process, and descends along Fossil Ridge.  In between those two segments will be a short trek onto the ridge that divides Echo from Cave Canyon.  Echo Canyon is a scenic limestone cut in Blue Diamond Hill also known as Fossil Canyon, and a sharp eye should net a view of the remains of an ancient inland sea.  The climb through the canyon involves some moderate scrambling with other sections of trail.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinators - Kay & John Blackwell.

Saturday, April 7 - Red Cap for Dummies.  Okay, this hike isn't really intended for stupid people.  The moniker is a play on those black and yellow books that attempt to simplify a whole lot of life's tasks.  That's what we will be offering on this early Saturday hike, which is only 3 miles in length with 900 feet of gain but carries a strenuous rating.  If you have ever thought about participating on a pure scramble hike and have the ability but have never done one, then join us for the adventure to the red mantle on the north end of the Calico Hills.  We will take our time and make sure everyone who goes along gets to enjoy the fabulous view from the top.  There are sections of moderate exposure on this hike.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, April 7 - Calico I/Moenkopi Loop.  The alternate hike this Saturday is a leisurely loop hike that will start from the Red Rock Visitor Center and cover a distance of 3.5 miles.  The route will head across the scenic loop drive and stop briefly at the Calico I Overlook, which offers a great close-up view of the multi-colored sandstone formations of the Calico Hills.  Crossing the drive again to the interior section of Red Rock, the group will connect with the Moenkopi Trail, climb the small ridge north of the Visitor Center, and drop down to a section of the Grand Circle Trail for a return to the starting point.  Rating is easy to moderate with 250 feet of elevation gain.  The group will depart from Best Buy at 8:30 AM.  Coordinators - Kay & John Blackwell.

Monday, April 9 - Escarpment Base Trail.  The west side of Red Rock Canyon provides the setting for this 5+ mile point-to-point hike heading north along the base of the Wilson Cliffs.  The standard route involves parts or all of Arnight, Pine Creek, Dale's, and SMYC Trails and gains about 600 feet of net elevation in the process.  The section utilizing Dale's Trail passes through several remote drainage areas with lots of short descents and climbs.  The entire route is very scenic and there is always the chance of spotting wildlife along the way.  Rating is moderate.  Extra vehicles will be needed for this hike, with some parked at the terminal point at the Lost Creek trail head.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Tuesday, April 10 - Bridge Mountain.  Arguably the toughest hike in the Las Vegas area, Bridge offers distance, elevation gain, rough terrain, and serious exposure along with great views and a sense of accomplishment.  The exact distance for today's outing is dependent on which vehicles are available to take on the extremes of Rocky Gap Road.  The current plan is to drive at least as far as the Pink Jeep turn-around point point or to the North Peak trail stop before relying on feet to get the rest of the way.  Depending on the starting point and the route selected, the hike could be anywhere from 6 to 12 miles with over 2,500 feet of elevation gain.  Because of the nature of this hike, RSVP's are mandatory.  Please check in with the coordinator at 396-2125 prior to the event.  The group will be meeting at Best Buy for a departure at 7:00 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, April 11 - Grand Circle.  Let's take a trip around Red Rock Canyon with our guest coordinator on this moderately strenuous loop hike starting from the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center.  Proceeding clockwise will provide excellent panoramic views of the canyon as the hike features the Wilson Cliffs on the way out and the Calico Hills on the return leg.  Total distance is a shade more than 11 miles with elevation gain approaching 1,000 feet; however, the gain rate is very gradual as the trail heads toward the gap which contains the spur road to Willow Springs.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, April 12 - Calico Hills/Gateway Loop.  The longest of the three similar hikes staged out of Red Springs Picnic Area and involving Gateway Canyon, this outing will head around the south end of the Calico Hills and follow the trails on the Red Rock Canyon side of the colorful sandstone formations as far as Sandstone Quarry.  The route will then clear the north end of the Calico Hills before descending into Gateway Canyon.  The final stretch will meander through the boulder field at the base of Krafft Mountain and follow Ash Creek back to the start.  Total distance is about 8 miles with a strenuous rating.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, April 13 - Blue Diamond Bike Trails.  This is a 4.5 mile hike on trails behind the Blue Diamond community. The group will meet at Best Buy and depart from there at 8:15 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, April 14 - Around the Bend Friends Spring Picnic.  No club hike will be scheduled.  See details for the picnic in the club newsletter or other communication.

Sunday, April 15 - Las Vegas Overlook.  This moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike will go in reverse to the normal routes usually used for treks on the north end of Blue Diamond Hill, meaning participants will get a fresh slant on the scenery viewed from the higher ridges of the mesa.  Starting up Fossil Ridge immediately after passing through the entrance to the horse stables near Highway 159, the route will follow a series of trails over to the Las Vegas Overlook on the eastern rim of the hill.  From that great viewing spot, the group will finish the hike with a descent through Skull Canyon back to the starting point.  Departure time is 8:00 AM from the normal meeting location at Best Buy.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.

Monday, April 16 - Lovell Canyon.  Here is a reschedule of an outing originally planned for March that fell victim to nasty weather.  The moderate hike on the west side of the escarpment will concentrate on the middle section of the canyon near a private ranch at the far end of Potato Road, aka Rocky Gap Road, as it swings over from Willow Springs in Red Rock Canyon.  The primary loop is between 5 and 6 miles and has minimal elevation gain.  A second loop, optional for the group, will tack on another mile to the total.  The group will be meeting at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure before driving to the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 to pick up any south side participants at 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.

Tuesday, April 17 - Gass Peak.  Ever wondered about that large mountain directly north of Las Vegas and whether it can be hiked?  Well, that's Gass Peak and the normal route up is from the north side through the Desert National Wildlife Station near Corn Creek.  Obviously, the view from the top is sensational.  To get there, however, requires quite a bit of work.  First is the drive to the starting point on minimally maintained gravel roads that definitely require high clearance vehicles.  Next is the 7 miles of distance with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain over rough desert terrain on a reasonably decent trail.  Rated strenuous, this trek does provide a great reward at the top with the view.  For this hike, we will be using our regular summer meeting location on the 3rd floor of the southeast parking garage at Santa Fe Station, which is located on Rancho and Lone Mountain Road.  Be there a bit early for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Wednesday, April 18 - North Blue Diamond Ridges.  Here is another chance to rub shoulders with our compatriots from the Lone Mountain Hiking Club on a joint hike sponsored by both groups.  The moderate 6-mile loop hike will start at the cowboy stables parking area off Highway 159 a little past the entrance to Red Rock and make the steep climb up Boneshaker Hill in the first mile.  Total elevation gain is about 1,100 feet with the high point somewhat below the antenna now used by the BLM for communications in the Red Rock area.  Lone Mountain or dual club members who live in Sun City Summerlin can meet at Desert Vista Community Center for an 8:00 AM departure.  That group will head over to Best Buy and pick up the Around the Bend Friends contingent at 8:15 AM before heading to the horse stables.  Coordinator - Jerry Blum.

Thursday, April 19 - Gray Cap Peak.  Climb over several dry waterfalls through the upper section of Gateway Canyon to this distinctive peak situated directly above Brownstone Canyon east of Turtlehead on a strenuous 6-mile out-and-back hike.  Besides dealing with the limestone formations in the canyon, the group will also have to negotiate rugged sandstone terrain on the ridges that make up the approach to the peak.  This will be the standard route that begins at Sandstone Quarry and passes the north end of the Calico Hills below Red Cap.  The group will be assembling at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, April 20 - Arnight-Knoll Loop.  The extended version of the loop hike involving a combination of three trails at the base of Rainbow Mountain will add an out-and-back section between the gravel parking lot at the end of the scenic loop drive and the regular Oak Creek trail head accessed off the scenic loop.  This addition increases the total distance to about 6 miles but does not substantially change the 300 feet of elevation gain that occurs on the regular loop.  Rating is moderate.  The group will depart at 8:15 AM from the normal meeting location at Best Buy.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, April 21 - Calico Tanks/Calico II Overlook Peak.  This short hike with lots of scrambling will start at Sandstone Quarry and proceed up the Calico Tanks Trail in the normal fashion.  At the main tank at the end of the official trail, the group will scramble up to the peak overlooking the Calico II parking area and then use the second portion of the Tank Discovery Scramble to return to the Calico Tanks Trail and a return to the starting point.  Total distance is 3 miles with 700 feet of elevation gain and a rating of moderately strenuous.  There is some exposure along the route but it is not the extreme exposure associated with another section of the scramble hike.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinators - John & Kay Blackwell.

Saturday, April 21 - Ash Creek Loop.  If you are looking for one of those short, level hikes that allow you to socialize with your fellow hikers and not have to worry about the terrain, then look no further than this easy to moderate 3-mile loop that goes out of the Red Springs Picnic Area at the southwest corner of Calico Basin.  The route will generally stay between the Calico Hills and Ash Creek as it flows behind the community of Calico Basin, with an intended snack break on the boulders near the lowest section of Ash Canyon.  Beauty abounds as the trail passes closely below sandstone formations that are used by climbers.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Sunday, April 22 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  One of our club's favorite hikes is this 5-mile loop that starts at Red Springs Picnic Area and follows the trail climbing up Five Stop Hill to Gateway Saddle and down into the lower section of Gateway Canyon for some absolutely beautiful scenery.  Once in the canyon, there is slightly less than a mile of scrambling through sandstone formations that exhibit a wide variety of patterns and colors.  A couple of the boulder descents provide a bit of challenge even to experienced hikers.  The return section along the southern base of Krafft Mountain passes through a boulder field that is well known as a haven for free climbers.  Meet the group at Best Buy for a departure at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Lettie Gutierrez.


Monday, April 23 - Black Velvet Peak.   Here's your opportunity to set foot on a seldom-visited peak in the southern portion of the Red Rock escarpment, Black Velvet.  Total distance is less than five miles with a  couple thousand feet of elevation gain.  But it's no walk in the park for sure, as this strenuous outing involves some Class 3 sandstone scrambling with a bit of exposure.  We'll come in from the back side, making our approach from the Mountain Springs Bar.  The group will depart from the Best Buy parking lot @0730.  Coordinator - Richard Natale.

Tuesday, April 24 - Windy Peak via Grapevine Canyon.  This out-and-back hike to one of the southern peaks on the Wilson Cliffs is only 4 miles long but don't kid yourself - it's one of the toughest hikes around.  Total elevation gain is something over 2,000 feet with a climb rate exceeding twenty per cent for much of the route.  Boulders, brush, and exposure also play a significant part in finding a way up to the distinctive peak that provides great views across Lake Mead to the mountains in Arizona.  Overall rating is very strenuous.  Because of the nature of the hike, anyone interested needs to get clearance prior to the hike from the coordinator, whose phone number is 396-2125.  The group will be meeting at Best Buy and leave for the hike at 8:00 AM with a stop at the gas station at the junction of Highways 159 and 160 to pick up south side participants at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, April 25 - Badger Pass.  The standard short version of the hike to the saddle in the lower section of the Bird Spring Range will cover a distance of 3 miles and gain about 600 feet of elevation.  With a rating of easy to moderate, it will provide a nice workout for many of our club members who look forward to hiking with our young guest coordinator who has ties to the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association.  One of the legs of this loop hike will follow the Deadhorse Trail in Red Valley, which passes an area hit fairly hard by a wild fire a number of years ago.  The meeting site for this hike will be at Best Buy with a departure time of 9:00 AM.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, April 26 - Turtlehead Peak.  Total distance is 5 miles and elevation gain is 1,900 feet for this strenuous out-and-back trek to the top of the distinctive peak on the north end of Red Rock Canyon.  Acknowledged as the most difficult hike in Red Rock conducted on official trails, the route lives up to that reputation with about one-half mile of steep and loose terrain that follows a drainage up to a saddle behind the peak for a ramped approach.  Sandstone Quarry will be used as the jump off point for the hike that will follow the standard established route to the top.  The group will convene at the Best Buy parking lot on Charleston for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, April 27 - Calico Hills.  Often used as an early morning workout hike because of its easy access to Highway 159 and its rolling terrain, the Calico Hills Trail is dynamic because of its proximity to the colorful formations of the sandstone hills just to the east of the trail.  The moderate 6-mile out-and-back version of this hike will cover the area between the fee booth parking lot at Red Rock and the Sandstone Quarry area.  Overall, the elevation gain is only 600 feet, but the rolling terrain probably doubles that number for gross gain.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, April 28 - Blue Diamond Bike Trails.  Behind the community of Blue Diamond along the southern end of Highway 159 is a 600-foot ridge on which mountain bikers established a number of trails over a decade ago.  Our club will be using those trails today for a moderate 5-mile loop hike that starts at the edge of Blue Diamond.  From the top of the ridge all of the sandstone peaks that make up the Wilson Cliffs are in view, along with mining areas on the south end of Blue Diamond Hill across Highway 159.  A large herd of wild burros roams the area and is often spotted in close proximity to the ridge or the town.  Meet the other participants at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinators - John & Kay Blackwell.

Saturday, April 28 - La Madre Springs.  One of the little known aspects of the La Madre Springs hike is that the trail passes through an open area dense with Palmer's Penstamin, a plant that produces stalks with a series of light pink blossoms.  Timing may be right to see this short-lived phenomenon.  Otherwise, participants will have to be content with observing a couple of foundations from old homesteads and the wildlife dam and pond located at the base of the springs area.  Our coordinator plans on taking the narrow trail upstream from the pond for a short distance, which will probably involve crossing the creek and some flowing water at a couple of points.  Total distance is 4 miles, elevation gain is 700 feet, and rating is moderate.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Ed Matulis.

Sunday, April 29 - The Muffins & Las Vegas Overlook.  On occasion some of our members have expressed an interest in doing afternoon hikes and our coordinator has decided to test the waters today with a hike up the north end of Blue Diamond Hill.  The standard route for this hike will start at the horse stables parking lot off Highway 159 and follow the trail up to the distinctive rock formations visible from three sides.  It will then continue up to the old Las Vegas Overlook and descend through Skull Canyon.  Total distance for the loop hike is 5 miles, there is an elevation gain of 1,000 feet, and the rating is moderate.  Pay attention to the time below as it is quite different from normal.  The group will meet at Best Buy and leave there for the starting point at 4:45 PM, finishing the hike around sunset.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Monday, April 30 - Sandstone Quarry Scramble.  Finish the month off on an exciting note on a 5-mile loop hike out of Sandstone Quarry that will include lots of scrambling.  Photographers should bring their cameras for great scenery shots as the group goes in search of tanks scattered throughout the sandstone formations in the vicinity.  This hike should probably be rated as moderately strenuous.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jerry Trevena.

If you would like to be part of the great group of people who volunteer their time as hike coordinators, please contact Chris Dempsey at 823-2355 or dempseylv@aol.com to find out more.  It's now time to start planning for the May schedule and a late month return to the higher elevations in the Spring Mountains near Mount Charleston. 

March 2012 Hike List

This hike schedule is a supplement to the club's monthly newsletter, which includes other important information regarding club business and activities.  All club members should review the e-mail and attachments sent out each month by the newsletter editor and print whatever pages they feel are pertinent so they can participate more thoroughly in club activities.

Here is the list of scheduled club hikes for the month of March 2012.  Hikes scheduled during the week are of varying difficulty levels to accommodate the various skill levels of club members.  Most Tuesday and Thursday hikes are intended for the more advanced hikers in the club.  Two hikes are usually offered each Saturday during the seasons at Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.  The earlier hike will generally be rated somewhere between moderate and strenuous and will be conducted at a moderate pace.  The later hike is intended for the general membership, is rated no more than moderate for difficulty level, and is conducted at a leisurely pace.  Hikes on other days of the week will tend to be moderate, although more difficult hikes may be scheduled.  Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities.  New hikers without recent hiking experience are encouraged to join the later Saturday hikes or equivalent before attempting any of the more difficult offerings.  No reservations are required for any of the hikes unless specified below.  Cancellation due to weather may occur without prior notice the morning of the hike.  Whenever possible, e-mails will be sent out through Yahoo Groups informing of any cancellations.  If you have any questions or need directions for any of the hikes contact Chris Dempsey at (702) 823-2355 or e-mail him at dempseylv@aol.com.

Hikes scheduled during March will be in a variety of locations with different assembly points.  The hikes near Red Rock and some other locations will have a primary meeting location at the parking lot in front of the Best Buy store on Charleston across from the Red Rock Station Casino.  Lake Mead hikes on the south side of the lake will generally meet under the outdoor sign at the Henderson Fiesta on Lake Mead Parkway near the intersection of I-215 and I-515.  Hikes north of Lake Mead will generally meet at the Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood on the northeast side of Las Vegas.  The Gold Butte hike on March 1 and the Valley of Fire hike on March 3 will meet at the Lucky Club Casino near the intersection of I-15 and Cheyenne.  Secondary meeting locations may also be established on some hikes.  Be at the selected designated location at least five to ten minutes prior to the departure time listed to allow for carpooling arrangements and driving directions.

Thursday, March 1 - Little Finland & The Subway.  Attention photographers!!  One of the most scenic areas in southern Nevada awaits you at Little Finland in Gold Butte country, where the red sandstone rocks really get creative.  Following the trip through this wonderland of formations the group will pass Bluff Spring on the way to a petroglyph site at The Subway.  There is some scrambling, some avoidable exposure, and lots of exploration on this moderately strenuous 7-mile hike.  The group will be meeting at the Lucky Club Casino for a 7:30 AM departure.  It is about 100 miles of driving each way between the meeting point and the hike, with one-way driving time taking about two hours.  Further driving directions will be provided at Lucky Club Casino the morning of the hike.  Coordinators - Kay & John Blackwell.

Friday, March 2 - Krafft Mountain Loop.  Get ready for some exciting scrambling action closer to home as the group heads over to Calico Basin for a trip through Gateway Canyon on the back side of Krafft Mountain.  To spice things up a bit, our coordinator has planned a counter clockwise route, meaning the scrambling will be upwards in Gateway Canyon, and will also do the early climb out to Gateway Saddle, which involves scaling a 10-foot waterfall that is rated Class 3.  Overall, the distance for the loop hike will be around 5 miles and will carry a moderately strenuous difficulty rating.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure to Red Springs Picnic Area.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, March 3 - Valley of Fire.  Here is one last chance before temperatures start to rise significantly to experience the fantastic rock formations in the state park northeast of Las Vegas.  This Valley of Fire hike will be coordinated by our club's resident expert on the scrambling routes through the myriad of sandstone formations found in this park.  It will be a moderate loop hike through the rocky canyons and sandy washes with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain.  Total distance should be close to 5 miles and will involve uneven terrain and some scrambling, as there is nothing really flat in the area.  An early west side group will leave from the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage (located on Rampart just south of Summerlin Parkway) at 7:25 AM with the main assembly point at Lucky Club Casino for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Brian Dodd.

Tuesday, March 6 - Juniper Peak.  Attention to detail is required for most of this very strenuous out-and-back trek to a sandstone peak sitting above Pine Creek Canyon in Red Rock.  The route will start from the Pine Creek parking lot and cross the desert and the creek to the mouth of Juniper Canyon, where the real scrambling starts.  While mostly on trail, the route up through the canyon is steep and loose in spots.  Toward the top of Juniper Canyon, the route crosses a boulder field, then starts to climb on a sandstone slab to the main ridge leading to the peak.  There is rolling exposure of several hundred feet on this slab and more exposure on a ridge getting to the peak.  Those interested should RSVP with the coordinator at 396-2125 before joining the group.  The meeting point is Best Buy with an 8:00 AM departure time.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, March 7 - South Bowl of Fire.  The general area is the same as our club did a month or two ago when we visited this area of spectacular red sandstone formations, but the route will be different.  Today the group will do a bit more scrambling over the sandstone formations and then return through a wash on the east side of the area back to the vehicles.  Approximate distance for the loop hike is 4 miles with a generally moderate rating.  West side residents can meet on top of the Rampart Casino parking garage, departing at 7:25 AM to join the larger group at Albertsons and an 8:10 AM departure.  The final meeting location will be at the parking area at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road, where the coordinators and any other south side residents will join the group, with an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinators - Keith & Beth Lane.

Thursday, March 8 - Windy Peak.  The standard route to one of the southern sandstone peaks along the escarpment, which will be utilized for this hike, starts near the pass on Highway 160 by the Mountain Spring community.  The moderately strenuous 5 to 6-mile out-and-back hike climbs around 1,500 feet getting to the peak.  The initial section is along a fairly steep gravel road and trail that leads to a connecting ridge behind the escarpment.  While much of the route is on trail, it is faint in spots and somewhat difficult to follow.  The transition from limestone to sandstone at the base of the peak involves about 100 feet of rolling exposure.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure with a stop at the gas station at the intersection of Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Friday, March 9 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  One of the official trails in Red Rock Canyon will lead today's group up an abandoned gravel road past a couple of foundations of structures built over seventy years ago and on to the wildlife dam and pond located at the base of the La Madre Springs.  The route will then follow a single track trail upstream along the creek and finally onto a steeper ridge that leads to a stone shelter thought to have been constructed by the miner who dug several shafts farther up the ridge.  Overall, this moderately strenuous out-and-back hike will cover 5 miles and gain roughly 1,600 feet in the process.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, March 10 - Potato Knoll.  One of the highlights of this moderate 5-mile partial loop hike is the number of crossings of Oak Creek and the chance to see flowing water in the desert.  Another is the great view from the top of the 500-foot hill that lies in the shadow of Wilson Peak and the base of the escarpment.  Starting from the parking lot at the exit of the scenic drive back onto Highway 159, the route includes a few miles of trail established by the equestrian riders, so there is always a chance of seeing horseback riders along the way.  The group will meet at the Best Buy parking lot for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Saturday, March 10 - Calico Basin. The hike will be a partial loop of 3.5 miles r/t with minimal elevation. The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure .  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Sunday, March 11 - Dry Falls Loop.  Located at the southeast corner of the River Mountains, this strenuous 7-mile loop hike explores a canyon facing the lake that involves climbing a series of seven dry waterfalls.  The route continues out of the canyon onto a crossover ridge, then makes a steep descent down a rocky area and back to the vehicles.  West side group should meet early at Best Buy, leaving there at 7:20 AM for the primary meeting location at Henderson Fiesta.  The combined group will leave there at 8:00 AM for the lower parking area at Alan Bible Visitor Center, where they will meet the coordinators and any other Boulder City residents at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins.

Monday, March 12 - South Cottonwood Valley Trail.  The hike is 4-5 miles with about 650 ft of elevation.  We will meet at Best Buy for an 8:00 a. m. departure and a stop at the gas station on Hwy. 160 to pick up hikers there at 8:30. We will travel about 6 miles west toward Pahrump, turning left on to a gravel road heading south. There is a restroom building at the first parking lot.  We will continue to the second parking area and hike from there.  Coordinator - Annie Hoskin.    

Tuesday, March 13 - Terrace Canyon.  Spring is nearly here and it's time to see how much water is flowing from rain and late winter snow melt in the south fork of Pine Creek Canyon.  This out-and-back hike covers a total distance of 6 miles following a series of connecting canyons that penetrate the escarpment on the west side of Red Rock Canyon.  More than half of the route involves significant scrambling over large boulders and other obstacles.  Rated as very strenuous, you can expect to devote at least five to six hours getting to and back from one of the most beautiful spots in the Red Rock area.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, March 14 - Gateway Saddle and Canyon.  Join our guest coordinator from Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association for a moderate out-and-back hike that will cover a total distance of 3 to 4 miles.  Starting from the gravel parking area at the northwest corner of the community of Calico Basin, the route will follow the trail up Seven Stop Hill to the saddle perched between Krafft and Gateway Peaks.  It will then continue down the other side of the saddle and into Gateway Canyon for a short amount of minor scrambling in the drainage, then turn around and head back to the starting point.  Meet the other participants at Best Buy for a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, March 15 - Hollow Rock Peak.  Situated across Highway 160 from Mount Potosi, Hollow Rock Peak is the southernmost of the sandstone peaks in the Wilson Cliffs that stretch along the western side of Red Rock Canyon.  The hike is a strenuous 6-mile out-and-back trek with 1,200 feet of elevation gain involving a limestone ridge in the direction of the actual peak and quite a bit of scrambling over sandstone in the last one-third mile to the destination.  An alternative on the return involves dropping onto a recreational gravel road that descends a ridge with great views of the valley below and another gravel road paralleling Highway 160.  The meeting location is Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure, with a short stop at the gas station on Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Friday, March 16 - Sandstone Quarry to Gateway Saddle.  A variant of a couple of hikes sometimes done by our club, today's outing will be an out-and-back hike that starts at Sandstone Quarry and follows the drainage around the north end of the Calico Hills toward the top of Ash Canyon.  The group will then descend into Gateway Canyon, continue a short distance down the canyon to the cutoff trail for Gateway Saddle, and take that trail up to the saddle for a snack break above the community of Calico Basin.  Total distance should be about 6 miles for this moderately strenuous hike that has more uphill on the return segment.  The group will meet at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.  

Saturday, March 17 - Krafft Mountain Loop Scramble.  A slightly shorter version of the traditional hike through Gateway Canyon around the back side of Krafft Mountain will begin at the gravel parking area at the northwest corner of Calico Basin.  Rather than take the trail to the top of Gateway Saddle, the group will scramble up the inward route at the immediate base of Krafft Mountain, which includes some Class 3 climbing but no exposure.  The rest of the hike will follow the normal clockwise route out through Gateway Canyon and around the front side of Krafft Mountain through the boulder field.  Total distance is about 4 miles with a moderately strenuous rating.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jim Billetdeaux.

Saturday, March 17 - Oak Creek Canyon.  Starting from the gravel parking lot at the exit of the scenic drive onto Highway 159, this moderate 5-mile out-and-back hike will follow a series of relatively flat trails along Oak Creek drainage, crossing the creek three times in each direction.  Heading toward the mouth of the canyon, there is a short climb onto a ridge on the south side of the drainage.  The trail continues to wind around a number of large boulders before dropping into the drainage in a picturesque spot for a snack break.  Although the distance is slightly longer than our usual later Saturday hikes, the pace should be accommodating.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Steve Anderson.

Monday, March 19 - Rainbow Canyon Loop.  This moderate 7-mile loop hike will include a stop at Anniversary Narrows and the old processing center located on the ridge above Lovell Wash below the narrows.  With spring approaching, there may be a few spring flowers in bloom, including the elusive Bearpaw Poppy.  Early west side group should meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino parking garage on Rampart near Summerlin Parkway, departing from there at 7:20 AM.  The main group will meet at Albertsons Grocery on Lake Mead Boulevard and the combined group will depart at 8:00 AM.  On their way to Mile Marker 16 on Northshore Road, they will stop to pick up the coordinators and any other south side participants at Mile Marker 4 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins. 

Tuesday, March 20 - Bridge Mountain. We will leave the Best Buy parking lot at 7:00 AM and drive to Red Rock and the Willow Springs Picnic Area and then head up Rocky Gap Road ( High Clearance Vehicles Req.) to the area where the Pink Jeep Tours stop. Starting at that location will make this a 10 mile out and back hike (7 plus Hrs.). The hike is rated very strenuous with several areas of EXPOSURE!! Because of the vehicles required and the hike's difficulty please RSVP with Steve Anderson at 702-341-9723.

Wednesday, March 21 - Bird Spring Range.  The small mountain range south of Highway 160 and east of Mount Potosi provides the setting for this moderately strenuous 7-mile loop hike that gains about 1,500 feet.  Starting point for this trek is the gravel parking lot just off the gravel road that connects Highway 160 with the community of Goodsprings.  The trail will head toward Badger Pass and continue off-trail along the main ridge of the range with great views of Las Vegas from the southwest.  A section of this ridge exhibits a number of seabed fossils just before dropping onto a saddle above Wilson Tank.  One more climb to a high point follows, with a final return along Deadhorse Trail through Red Valley.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure, with a stop at the gas station on Highways 159 and 160 at 8:20 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Thursday, March 22 - Cave Canyon & Beyond.  Climb up a couple of interesting dry waterfalls on this 7 to 8-mile loop hike located on Blue Diamond Hill at the cowboy stables.  In between the waterfalls the group will engage in moderate scrambling for more than a mile up the canyon before picking up a trail for the rest of the hike.  An added wrinkle is an extra jaunt past a seldom-visited canyon below the gypsum mine tailings pile at the top of the hill.  The final section of the return will be along Fossil Ridge.  The overall distance and amount of canyon terrain cause this hike to be rated as moderately strenuous.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Friday, March 23 - First Creek.  The traditional 4-mile out-and-back hike along the creek will start at the regular parking area and follow the level trail about a mile to the seasonal waterfall that has dredged out a deep pool in a hidden grotto of the stream bed.  After a short stop, the group will continue along the creek toward the canyon mouth, picking up a slight bit of intensity in terrain along the way.  The group will take a snack break on some large rocks just above a 10-foot seasonal boulder waterfall.  Overall, this hike is rated as moderate.  The meeting point for the entire group is at the Best Buy parking lot on Charleston with an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

Saturday, March 24 - La Madre Miner's Cabin.  Although this is the second time this hike is scheduled during the month, chances are it will be a different group of people who made the moderately strenuous trek to the stone shelter located on a ridge overlooking the back side of the White Rock Hills.  The overall distance for the out-and-back hike is 5 miles with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.  Along the way the trail passes a couple of mid-twentieth century home foundations and a wildlife dam and pond at the base of La Madre Springs.  The group will be assembling a Best Buy and will depart from there at 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

Saturday, March 24 - Potato Knoll Loop.  The second group this Saturday will be on the other end of Red Rock Canyon, starting from the gravel parking area at the exit of the scenic loop back onto Highway 159.  The 4.5-mile partial loop hike will encircle the 500-foot hill known as Potato Knoll but will not climb to the top.  The intended route has one crossing of Oak Creek in the first half of the hike and three crossings in the second half.  With very little elevation gain, the hike is rated as moderate.  The group will be gathering at Best Buy with a scheduled departure time of 8:30 AM.  Coordinator - Ann Cronin.

Monday, March 26 - Pinto Valley Loop.  The last Lake Mead area outing of the season will be a strenuous 9-mile loop hike that starts at Mile Marker 18 of Northshore Road and heads toward Signature Rock and some other minor petroglyph sites.  The return leg of the hike will pass through the Chocolate Hills with only one steep rocky area to negotiate.  An early west side group can meet on the top floor of the Rampart Casino, leaving there at 7:20 AM to join the main group at Albertsons on Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood.  The combined group will depart from there at 8:00 AM and meet the coordinators and other south side participants at Mile Marker 4 of Northshore Road at 8:20 AM.  Coordinators - Joan & Chuck Hawkins. 

Tuesday, March 27 - Red Cap, Calico Peak, Calico II Overlook Peak.  Back by popular demand is the triple peak scramble hike in the Calico Hills that we successfully attempted last fall.  The very strenuous 5-mile loop hike will start at Sandstone Quarry and ascend to the top of the red mantle on the north end of the sandstone hills.  With peak number one accomplished, the group will continue north along the ridge to the second peak.  This section of the route contains a descent down a 25-foot wall with some fairly serious exposure.  For peak number 3, the group must descend and cross the Calico Tanks Trail, climbing up through a steep notch to reach the top of another ridge.  The final descent will be off the south end of the Calico Tanks Trail toward Calico II Overlook.  This hike is for the most experienced hikers in the club who can handle intense scrambling and exposure.  If this fits you, meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Michael O'Connor.

Wednesday, March 28 - The Cave, Echo Canyon & Fossil Ridge.  The first destination on this moderately strenuous 4 to 5-mile loop hike will be the lower cave in Cave Canyon that is accessed part way up the ridge below the 15-foot seasonal waterfall.  After a bit of exploration, the group will return back to the junction with Echo Canyon and turn left up that canyon on a route that is part scrambling and part trail.  At the point where the Fossil Ridge Trail crosses the upper portion of Echo Canyon, the group will then turn right and follow that trail back to the starting location.  The group will be assembling at Best Buy with a 9:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Jen Lindsay.

Thursday, March 29 - Tank Discovery Trail.  This strenuous 4.5-mile hike is almost pure scrambling but generally follows the Calico Tanks Trail through the Calico Hills in Red Rock Canyon.  Starting from Sandstone Quarry, the route climbs and descends three times with an average ascent of 450 feet each climb.  There is some serious exposure which can be bypassed using an alternate route.  With recent precipitation, each of the five main tanks along the route may contain water.  The group will be meeting at Best Buy with a departure time of 8:00 AM.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

Friday, March 30 - Pine Creek & Fire Ecology Trail.  Starting along the trail from the Pine Creek parking area, the group will turn left on the Fire Ecology Trail, going as far as the picnic table, then continue along the creek to the Wilson foundation.  At that point, they will cross back to the trail along the south side of the creek, and take a snack break toward the upper end of the combined creek bed below Mescalito Peak.  Depending on the composition of the group, the coordinator may take them into Fern Canyon for a bit of scrambling or take the main trail back past the Wilson foundation and on to the starting point.  The base hike should be around 3 miles with an easy to moderate rating, assuming no scrambling.  Meet the group at Best Buy for an 8:15 AM departure.  Coordinator - Roger Hembree.

See hikes for Death Valley below.

Saturday, March 31 - Red Springs Loop.  Here is one of those old standby hikes that you never get tired of doing.  Relatively short at just under 4 miles but with a strenuous rating, this hike provides a variety of terrain that includes several sections of scrambling.  The high point is reached after about one mile and occurs at the saddle in the Calico Hills above the angel carving on the west side of the sandstone hills.  Once into Red Rock territory, the route follows some connecting canyons that lead back around the south end of the Calico Hills to the starting point at Red Springs Picnic Area.  Join the group for this adventure at the Best Buy parking lot with an 8:00 AM departure.  Coordinator - Kay Blackwell.

See hikes for Death Valley below.

Saturday, March 31 - Calico Tanks.  One of the signature hikes in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, this moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike climbs 700 feet in the northern canyon penetrating the Calico Hills.  Although not really scrambling, there are several stone stairways that assist with the climb over a variety of surfaces including sandstone and sand.  The group will bypass the major tank at the end of the official trail and climb out to an overlook ledge perched above Ash Canyon with views stretching back to Lake Mead and Arizona.  The group will assemble at Best Buy for an 8:30 AM departure.  Coordinator - Chris Dempsey.

See hikes for Death Valley below.

March also marks the first real out of town outing for the club in 2012.  Guy Galante has put together a hiking extravaganza in the lowest place in the United States that will cover three days of hiking.  Most of the group will be driving to Longstreet Hotel & Casino in the afternoon of Thursday, March 29 for a three night stay.  Hikes will occur in the Death Valley area on Friday, March 30, Saturday, March 31, and Sunday, April 1 before a return to Las Vegas that afternoon.  If you are interested in being part of this great trip, see the announcement in the February (and probably March) newletters for details on how to reserve a room. 

March 29– April 1, 2012
Death Valley
Coordinator: Guy Galante
Guy has reserved 10 rooms at the Longstreet Casino for the nights of 29, 30 and 31 March, if anyone is interested. Room rate $64.15 for rooms away from the highway. Rooms on the high- way are $59.95, but not available until Friday night. Those of you who want to stay at Death Valley can try to get accommodations at Stovepipe Wells or Furnace Creek.
The number for the Longstreet casino is 775-372-1777. Mention Around The Bends Friends code 73705 for the best rates. Contact Guy directly at his e-mail address (guygalante@hotmail.com) or phone number (702-629-2670). Give Guy your driver informa- tion and the roommate information. If drivers might need or want to drive additional persons besides themselves and their roommate advise Guy and he can probably suggest another person who needs a ride. Guy has ask me to publish the hikes for death valley as follows:
Friday, March 30th Desolation Canyon
5.2 miles rated moderate. Meet at Visitors Center for 10 AM departure.
Saturday, March 31st Mosaic Canyon
3.6 miles rated easy to moderate. Meet at the Visitors Center for 9 AM departure.
Sunday, April 1st Golden Canyon
6 miles rated moderate. Meet at Visitors Center for 9 AM departure.